Interview with Young L da Lonegun (Rapper/CEO)

Young L da Lonegun is a 31 year old rapper and CEO of Ya-Ya Ent from Texas, USA. He is currently finishing off his mixtape "Hustle & Grind Vol. 3" and working on a few other projects including "Family Ties 3" mixtape and a non-profit organization.

Thanks for taking the time to do this interview Young L da Lonegun. Tell us a bit about yourself, your name, age, where you’re from and an interesting fact if you like...
No problem, I appreciate CrazyPellas for taking the time out to find out about me, and informing the world about me! Big salute!

What it dew world?! It's ya boy Young L da Lonegun of YA-YA! ENT. I'm a proud 31 years of age, straight outta that Texas, and some people don't know that my government name (Lemahl) came from the Producer of the movie entitled "The Never Ending Story", only difference is his was Limahl.

MUSICIs there a story behind your name?
There isn't any story behind my stage name... it's more like a metaphor. I'm Young at heart, L is for my 1st initial, and da Lonegun is a metaphor that mean I stand on my own ten toes, I have my own way of thinking, I'm a man.

How long have you been rapping?
I have been musically inclined from the womb as my mom would tell it... but the rap started around 15 as a hobby just letting off frustration or making my bullies feel belittled! (ha!)

What first got you interested in becoming a rapper?
What first got me interested was when my brothers and I did a talent show at our high school our senior year, along with my cousin Relly (RIP). The auditorium was packed, we had the stage and the crowd in control! I saw myself being involved with music somehow someway for the rest of my life. It actually saved my life to be honest with you.

What/who inspires your music?
To be honest, just being a survivor, being a strong Black Man in America, people from all walks of life, beating the odds but still being the underdog, seeing people smile, happy, that's what motivates me to keep going.

Do you see being a rapper as a career, or as a hobby?
Honestly I see it as neither I see it as a platform for me to, you know, accomplish my dreams to broaden my horizons and also open up doors for other people that want to be successful without selling their soul. You see I speak as an entrepreneur due to the fact that I have a vision that is way bigger than music, Money, cars, clothes, drugs or sex ya digg?

What are you trying to do with your music? Do you want to help your community? Are you trying to get rich? What is your goal for your music?
What I really want to get out of my music is to touch encourage push, motivate others to succeed in this world. Knowledge is rich, it will get you a long way over the materialistic things. Education is key and it helps when it comes from both sides of the fence, both good and bad. Remember I said that music is my platform for my vision.... stay tuned you WILL see what I mean.

Have you ever performed live? How did it feel?
Yes I have performed live. I've opened for Lil Scrappy, Bun B, and Chalie Boy, as well as headlined some events. Go to my IG @thalonegun and I have a video of my most recent performance with Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes. It's always a blessing when people spend their hard earned money to come support your craft. It's also a great way to network and build your fan base organically!

Do you have any kind of management, publishing or distribution team behind you? If so what are their responsibilities?
I'm working on building a team of that… I do own my publishing rights and performance rights through BMI, I have all the paperwork most artists don't even know about, and oh yeah shout out Julie Styles and Mr. Davis at 1RMusic for their marketing schemes and believing in my vision. Thank you all so much! I have a distribution deal on the table that will be announced in the 1st quarter so as I previously stated, stay tuned!

What are some accomplishments that you have achieved, and are most proud of?
One very proud accomplishment that I do have is my academic background. I have degrees in Accounting and Business on a Post Secondary University level, I own my own record label that I do pay taxes on, I haven't sold out or turned my back on anyone, and I have stuck with my values and morals.

Have you ever made any contact with major artists or other high positioned people in the music industry and do you keep in contact with them?
I've been in touch with Chalie Boy, Mr. Davis at 1RMusic, Lil Scrappy, DJ Clue and a few others. Clue wanted to broker a deal for me but I said na I'm good. I would like to get help but I've done most of the work myself so far so why stop now?

What one tip would you give to other independent artists?
Advice to artists in general; be a student of the game. Be YOURSELF, be creative!!! Watch your back and remember this is a business and you must INVEST in yourself because no one will take you serious.

What do you see is in the future for the music industry? How do you think it will evolve/change?
Well we have went from tapes to CDs, to mp3s to streams, and soon you will be able to do an album live from your phone camera. I can tell you that this watered down rap is getting pushed to the back.... that 90s feel is coming back to the game where it's about the bars and wordplay.... and even though I'm from Texas I know my history and I know I have bars!!!!!

Keeps me on my songwriting skills. (Ha!)

INTERNETDo you feel like the internet is helping you as an independent artist?
The internet is definitely you know a great marketing tool to get your music out and get your product out get your message out to a wide audience in a short span of time you know.... the bad thing about it is it's usually the music meets the execs/ A&Rs before the artist does.

How do you think social networks such as Facebook and Twitter have affected the music industry?
I believe since there isn’t a such thing as artist development anymore, that's where the artist usually gets taken advantage of in the music business because they have no business background they don't know how to read a contract, they always want to represent themselves as a lawyer when they have no knowledge about music companies and usually the record companies that's when they take advantage they move in and give you a sucker deal.

Yes, the internet is a basically a mockery of all the artists that really put their hard work into their craft, they're getting overlooked by these Facebook bubble gum rap that ugly ass look/fad it's not going to last that long they said they're not going to last it always so you know it's hard for the real artists the real MCs to get into the game because we got these fake-ass rappers and their off of Facebook Instagram and Snapchat.

Where can we hear your music online?
Actually, you can get my music on DatPiff, Audiomack, SoundCloud, ReverbNation, iTunes, CDBaby, Live Mixtapes, I'm all over the place man and I got my own website as well www.Youngldalonegun.com and you could be in update with all my content.

IN CLOSINGWhat projects are you working on at the moment?
Currently now I'm wrapping up Hustle & Grind volume 3, my mixtape series hosted by DJ Flipcyide that's going to be on datpiff.com, I'm working on the Family Ties EP (YA-YA! ENT.) you I mean we working on Family Ties 3 the mixtape we got an independent movie coming up we're going to start up a new non-profit organization as well so you know we just get into it we gotta make this money man and we gotta help those in our community so you know we gotta give back and put on for the city.

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years time?
I see myself in 5 to 10 years still Hustlin still grindin you know still persevering, still climbing the ladder, still working still grounded, staying humble, just making good music and being an overall good person that's all.

Do you have any shoutouts you want to give?
First and foremost I want to thank a savior the Lord Jesus Christ put his life on the line for me so that way I can walk right to sleep I want to paint my family you know everybody that's been holding me down support and movement shout out to you know these people have you know for playing my record over there 104.3 FM in my city thank you for believing in me and DJ Flipside always supporting me man me and him did my first-ever project man we never look back and we've just been moving and I appreciate you so we appreciate you man DJ King flow preciate you looking out for us also man on the Family Ties projects, shout out to Rude Boy Clothing you know Mark Reid Samantha all the directors over there Rude Boy thank you for the sponsorship seeing my vision shout out to Mr. Davis and Julia Styles over there in one hour music thank you for believing in my vision thank you for working with me shout out to everybody that supported my movement man whether you've brought a mixtape whether you been to a show, whether you like my post a picture anything man shout out to you for all that man you know shout out to my fans Mane shout out to the people that really being there in the trenches man stayed down and I love you shout out the YA-YA! ENT. my brothers in rhyme Boneyard, Goo BadAss Blue Texan, PG, C Dollar all my Gs that I be working with you know Astro Jones, Dub T, King Tut, TN the producers, my big homie Smoke out that Paradox Records and Blue the Greatest, there's a lot of people that ride over there with me I never left my side. No Rob Bennett of big Stout everybody over there you know I'm saying this life Studios man appreciate the love too man. My big bro my Montana Staxx big homie Classic Muzic, Breezy, my folks Mazi G, Richiano out there in Funky Town.... too many people to name if I forgot you mad you know I love you don't take it hard or personal. FREE ROMEE, SCRAP, QUISE, AND ALLSTON MY FOLKS LOCKED DOWN! R.I.P. RELLY!!!!!!!

Thanks again Young L da Lonegun for doing this interview.
Again thank you for taking the time out to conduct this interview thank you for listening to me, thank you for the opportunity CrazyPellas.... much love!!!!!!

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